Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530669
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 DECEMBER 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt New Smart City link road will take up nearly 6,000sq.m of agricultural land THE Environment and Resourc- es Authority has concluded that the impact of a proposed road linking Smart City to Zabbar does not warrant a full Environ- mental Impact Assessment. Despite its concerns about the loss of agricultural land and changes to the rural landscape, the environmental watchdog has also declared that it does not ob- ject to the project as long as these impacts are mitigated by a num- ber of measures it is proposing. The decision by the ERA means that no studies will be conduct- ed on possible alternatives to the proposed development, which would be obligatory if a full EIA were presented. The EIA also obliges propo- nents to compare the environ- mental impacts of not carrying out the project with those of pro- ceeding with it. This emerges from a screening report by ERA following the pres- entation of a Project Description Statement submitted by architect William Lewis, who is also a La- bour Party official, on behalf of Transport Malta. The proposed development will require the expropriation of ap- proximately 10,192sq.m of land, the majority of which is culti- vated agricultural land. Of this, 5,686sq.m will be permanently taken up by the link road, with ad- ditional interventions including a two-way segregated cycle lane, a footpath, and public transport infrastructure. Temporary land use of an additional 7,452sq.m is planned, which will be reinstated to its original state after the works are completed. ERA has stipulat- ed that construction activities must avoid permanent damage to the temporarily affected land. Tree uprooting and replanting The project will result in the uprooting of 42 trees or shrubs, most of which are located along the proposed link road. To miti- gate this impact, the plan includes the planting of 47 trees, such as Jacaranda mimosifolia and Cu- pressus sempervirens. ERA noted that the replanting of indigenous species would address the loss of trees, and the overall impact is not considered significant. Visual impact The development stretches across a varied landscape, includ- ing agricultural fields, cultural her- itage sites, and existing roads such as Triq San Guzeppi Valerju Abela and Triq il-Missjoni Taljana. The most significant visual changes will occur along the link road connecting Trejqet il-Fata and Triq Santa Liberata, which passes through terraced agricul- tural fields. Modifications will also affect the cultural landscape near landmarks such as the Cap- uchin Convent and the Cotton- era Lines. To address concerns about visual impacts, the project has been revised to reduce over-for- malised splays, limit pavement widths, and maintain field ramps in beaten earth. Bicycle lanes and bus laybys have also been kept to a reason- able minimum. Rubble walls re- moved during construction will be rebuilt using traditional meth- ods and materials, ensuring they blend with the rural landscape. Construction activities will gen- erate waste, including scarified as- phalt material, granular material and soil. The asphalt material will be reused on-site or at other road construction sites, while the soil will be returned to the agricultur- al fields from which it was taken. ERA stated that waste generation is not expected to be significant. The construction phase is ex- pected to generate temporary dust, noise, and vibrations, par- ticularly during excavation works. These impacts can be mitigated by adhering to the Environmen- tal Management Construction Site Regulations, including the use of hoarding to contain dust and debris. During the operational phase, the development is not expected to generate additional traffic, and impacts on air quality, noise, and vibrations are anticipated to be "negligible". The project area includes sev- eral scheduled cultural heritage features, such as the Kalkara Naval Cemetery, the Capuchin Convent, and the Cottonera Lines. While the development is adjacent to these Grade I heritage sites, ERA has confirmed that no significant impacts on cultural heritage are expected. Measures will be taken to ensure that these features remain undisturbed. Mitigation measures ERA has outlined several con- ditions to mitigate the environ- mental impacts of the project. Existing trees that are not to be removed must be protected, in- cluding their root systems. Land- scaping must be implemented as planned before the compliance clearance is issued. Construction activities must avoid environ- mental damage to adjacent lands, habitats, or features. Rubble walls must be recon- structed using traditional meth- ods and materials, with their height kept to pre-existing levels to maintain visual harmony. Temporarily affected areas must be reinstated to their orig- inal state after construction. The development must not result in the discharge of effluents, spill- ages, or other contaminants onto surrounding lands. Exterior light- ing must adhere to strict guide- lines to minimise light pollution, including the use of low-intensi- ty, downward-pointing fixtures. Existing pathways which will make way for new road